Wing mirrors or no wing mirrors ?

Car-Nut · Post by **Car-Nut** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:57 pm

Well the questions in the title.

Do you spoil the lines or not?

Do you twist your neck a not or lot?

Should you drill more holes which could encourage rust?

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:05 pm

I use the 'clip-on' window frame mirrors: http://tinyurl.com/mfwyxm

Car-Nut · Post by **Car-Nut** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:01 pm

Heuer wrote:I use the 'clip-on' window frame mirrors: http://tinyurl.com/mfwyxm

can't really see how they fit by that pic

Moeregaard · Post by **Moeregaard** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:41 pm

I hate wing mirrors as much as I hate front number plates, but California and most other states require one exterior mirror on the driver's side. I prefer one of the aftermarket "bullet" mirrors mounted at the extreme aft end of the bonnet. It's a totally useless location, but it satisfies the letter of the law and any water that gets past the gasket runs right through. The absolute worst locations for mirrors or radio antennae are on the scuttle.

daverawle · Post by **daverawle** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:57 am

Car-Nut wrote:Well the questions in the title.

Do you spoil the lines or not?

Do you twist your neck a not or lot?

Should you drill more holes which could encourage rust?

RatSport have a good selection of mirrors with pictures of how they look on different cars:
http://tinyurl.com/nwjnax

Dave

Post by **Heuer** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:22 am

Mirror is secured from other side by clamping it to the window frame using a single screw. Can be attached and removed in minutes and does not affect window operation. I have a spare in the garage so photo to follow. Highly recommended.

Larry Wade · Post by **Larry Wade** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:38 am

Hi Moe,

In California we are grandfathered with our old cars. We don't need to have seatbelts or wing mirrors since they were not original equipment (for the earliest cars: my dad's '61 didn't have any seatbelts as an example). California probably has the slackest rules in the world for old cars (e.g. no smog test ever...even if you drop a V-16 into the beast). However front plates were standard back then as so are still required...although I refuse to put one on.

With an OTS it is a really good idea to have a good mirror on the driver's side. The blind slot is HUGE and has nearly resulted in several crashes. I have a really nice one now and am driving much more safely (if not slower) thanks to them. The passenger side is optional. With an FHC I don't think there would be much benefit...so long as you are still flexible enough to crank your head around.

Cheers,

Larry

Moeregaard · Post by **Moeregaard** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:56 am

Hi, Larry. I can still remember the conversation I had with the CHP, regarding the lack of a driver's-side mirror on the MGA I was running as a daily driver, circa 1982. Result? I installed a mirror. Those were my college days and I was having a lot of trouble with unwanted attention from those guys!

Since all of my E-Type driving has been in coupes, i can tell you that the real blind spot is in that RH-rear corner. Fortunately, I have a few more years of that flexibility--or so I believe!

As for the emissions test--good riddance. My '65 E-Type was exempt, but my brother's '66 Porsche 911 had to go in every two years, and we always had to really lean things out and retard the ignition timing just to pass the idle test. The damned car was barely running when we took it in, but it passed! I was so pleased when everything built before '74 was finally exempted.

Car-Nut · Post by **Car-Nut** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:50 pm

Heuer wrote:I use the 'clip-on' window frame mirrors: http://tinyurl.com/mfwyxm

David, I got a set of these a couple weeks back, must say Im not impressed. :sadsigh:

Above 70 and the main arm blows in, :curse: Ive taken them off on a couple of occasions and tightened the philips screw\bolt there but then, when out next time they blow in or out of place again :thumbsdownsmile:

Do you get this with yours

:dunno:

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:07 pm

Yes, as standard they are a pain because the chrome plate slides against the chrome plate of the window frame which is also convex in profile. A couple of options to fix the problem (although neither work!):

1. Grind off the plating on the mirror base leaving a rough surface. You could also profile the attachment point to match the curve of the frame.

2. Put a thin bit of rubber between the mirror base and frame before tightening the screw. Trim off the excess with a sharp knife. Do not use the bit of plastic supplied with the mirror it is too shiny.

Most people go for the second option. The mirrors are designed for cars with flat rather than convex frames. I have found you need to cut 1/4" off the retaining bracket so it can sit deeper into the window channel and forcing the mirror base to sit more centrally on the curved chrome trim. Not had a problem since.

Car-Nut · Post by **Car-Nut** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:30 pm

Heuer wrote:Yes, as standard they are a pain because the chrome plate slides against the chrome plate of the window frame which is also convex in profile. A couple of options to fix the problem:

1. Grind off the plating on the mirror base leaving a rough surface. You could also profile the attachment point to match the curve of the frame.

2. Put a thin bit of rubber between the mirror base and frame before tightening the screw. Trim off the excess with a sharp knife. Do not use the bit of plastic supplied with the mirror it is too shiny.

Most people go for the second option. The mirrors are designed for cars with flat rather than convex frames.

Im glad you didnt give me an option 3 David

3. Dont drive above 70mph

Anyway, back to the the item in discussion, here it is fixed in situ.

The actual problem isnt the main bracket although I will take your comments on board and change the plastic for a piece of rubber. (I knew that inner tube I kept when I had new tyres whould come in handy

)

Back to my problem, a birdseye veiw of the fixed mirror, with a shakey arrow pointing to it

The position it goes on acceleration :peelout:

Shakey arrows due to lack of

so just off to rectify that :thumbsupsmile:

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:43 pm

Just a case of tightening the Philips screw up real hard. Try taking the screw out and making sure there is no grease on the ball joint. Over time I do find my driver side mirror tends to sag but this is after 3,000 miles of high speed cruising i.e. frequently up to 90mph+.

Downside to over tightening the Philips screw is you then have little opportunity for adjustment so it is a case of trial and error.

Finally I resorted to modifying the bracket. Basically the bit that goes into the window channel is too deep for the E-Type. You need to cut 1/4" off the lip so the whole mirror sits further on to the rounded chrome.

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Wing mirrors or no wing mirrors ?

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